Intelligent nanoenzyme for T1-weighted MRI guided theranostic applications

In this research, a novel nanoenzyme-based theranostic nanoplatform, named [email protected]2-BSA (bovine serum albumin (BSA)-modified manganese dioxide (MnO2)/polypyrrole (PPy)) was invented for T1-MRI-guided combined photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. The materials design was based on the in-situ oxidation and polymerization of pyrrole, using potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as the oxidant. The formed [email protected]2-BSA was further used to load with Ce6, via physical absorption. The PPy, with a high absorbance within the near-infrared (NIR) region, endowes the nanoenzyme with outstanding photothermal performance with the photo-to-heat conversion efficiency of 21.05%, while the MnO2, which could reduce the relaxation time of nearby protons, serves to enhance the tumor T1-MRI ability. Moreover, upon exposure to red light, the [email protected]2-BSA(Ce6) nanoparticle could produce the cellular toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS, i.e., 1O2) to trigger the tumor PDT. Meanwhile, the nanoparticle could continuously catalyze H2O2 into endogenous oxygen, to not only relieve the hypoxia inside the tumor but also enhance the tumor PDT effect. The in vitro and in vivo experiments both affirmed the great potential of [email protected]2-BSA(Ce6) nanoparticle in MRI-guided combined PDT and PTT for tumor. This research lays a solid foundation for the theoretical design and clinical application of theranostic nanoprobe in the future.